Not to ruin a funny tweet, but we will remind people that Nancy Grossman’s masks are not about S&M.

Not sure how I (Paddy) feel about this piece on class and privilege in the trans, queer, people of color community. Shak’ar Mujukian tells a story about living in a co-op mostly populated by TQPOC who were what I’d call conceptually poor—they live like paupers, but have grown up with a certain amount of privilege. In this case, the privilege was never discussed—to the point where it seemed like it might have been hidden. As an actual poor person, Mujukian found that offensive and something that fed into his insecurity or what he deems “internalized oppression”. Anyway, the upshot is that he felt alienated in a place that was supposedly built for people like him, and that’s why the wealthy privilege of being able to chose to live like a poor person is bad. [The Hyephen]

Trump’s former campaign manager Paul J. Manafort is involved in yet another scandal. Manafort, who used to be employed by a Russian oligarch “to nudge US news and politics in a pro-Putin direction”, may have been involved in a money laundering scheme involving New York real estate. Manafort would drop millions on properties (including one in Trump Tower) and then take out massive loans against the properties through the Federal Savings Bank, whose President Steve Calk was a Trump fundraiser and present economic advisor. [WNYC via Curbed]

Rupaul’s Drag Race is now on VH1, and the network is already stirring the pot. Many are outraged that Wendy Williams is scheduled to host a live pre-show, despite the fact that producers for her own show kicked drag queen Erickatoure out of the audience for wearing a dress instead of “dressing to impress” as a man. [Hey Qween]

“Working from sternly jokeless material, Sanders and his crew save the wit for such formal flourishes. Roelfs’ production design, matching sprawling dystopian squalor to fluorescent, holographic flights of fancy, abounds in playful details within details; Kurt and Bart’s wardrobe of synthetic-chic kimonos and tectonic-plate bodysuits ensure not even a morgue body sheet goes without some subtle fabulousness.” The Variety review of the live-action Ghost in the Shell is so breathlessly glowing I (Michael) am nudging my skeptical optimism ever more to point of giddy excitement. [Variety]

Preview Michael Williams’ Artforum cover, featuring a “COEXIST” symbol obscured by moody purple haze on an upside-down portrait. It feels like one of the most subtle paintings of the current sociopolitical moment. [Facebook]

A mock trial at the Art Institute of Chicago tackled the issue of what the British should do with the Parthenon Marbles they stole/bought from Greece. This is the kind of debate we can get behind. Nobody is calling for the destruction of art works. [The Chicago Reader]

There are many icks and ews to this story, we’re finding it difficult to even link to it. A Swiss asshole drug addicted art dealer by the name of Bennet von Vertes murdered his best friend with a sculpture in a drug induced haze, believing him to be a green alien. He is also reportedly charged with rape, a case that will receive a separate trial. [artnet News]

Lynn Hershman Leeson’s life story is so interesting. Essentially, she’s been making 2017 work since the 1960s. So much of it has been in storage until recently. Now, at age 75, her explorations into digital identity and experiments with genre-blurring media are getting serious overdue attention. [ARTnews]